Brian O'Shea
Ceist:41 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the waiting lists for ear, nose and throat treatment in each health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - ENT Waiting Lists.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Eastern Health |
3,946 Patients |
|
Midland |
343 patients |
|
Mid-Western |
202 patients |
|
North-Eastern |
43 patients |
|
North-Western |
154 patients |
|
South-Eastern |
208 patients |
|
Southern |
1,014 patients |
|
Western |
659 patients |
Information on waiting lists for ear, nose and throat services is collected on a hospital basis. It is possible that a patient resident in one health board area would be on a waiting list for ENT treatment in another health board area.
I have been particularly concerned about the problems of child deafness and I specifically targeted funds to alleviate this problem. The position has been improving as the information from Temple Street Hospital bears out. In 1988, 976 ENT cases were treated. In 1989, the number rose to 1,189 and in 1990, the projected activity is 1,800 ENT cases treated at the hospital. I am particularly pleased to note that children needing grommets are attended to within six months. I might also add that, at the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, Cork, the regional centre for ENT in the Southern Health Board area, there is now a throughput of ten children per week for this procedure following on the special allocation of additional funds.
With regard to ENT generally, very satisfactory results are being achieved. For example, the waiting list for ENT surgery at the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital has been reduced from over 1,000 in October last to 363 at the end of May 1990. In the Midland Health Board area a new regional ENT service was established at Tullamore General Hospital in 1989 and the first permanent consultant ENT surgeon has recently taken up duty at the hospital.
These are specific, tangible results which are being achieved as a result of the initiatives taken last year. They are part of an on-going, programme of eliminating undue waiting times in any particular speciality and I propose to continue to build on the progress already made.